Good day everyone. As an experienced tiki bar builder i am always telling my customers about the safety of fireproofing the thatched roof on their tiki bar or hut. If you are using real palm leaves or grass and your tiki bar or tiki hut is close to the house, by all means fireproof the leaves. I've built, delivered and installed many tiki bars and tiki huts where my customers put their portable heaters under them, have their grills close by, and even a fire pit. And believe me, those leaves will go up in a heart beat. I supply a fireproofing on my web site at www.tikikev.com specifically for thatched roofs. This product is not cheap, but well worth the cost you put into your bar. With this fireproofing it is recommended that you reapply every 5 years. I personally reapply mine every other year. If anyone is interested, pictures of my Tiki Hut and bar are also on my web site at www.tikikev.com When on the main page, click on the link that says HUTS. The fist 8 or 9 pics are my Tiki Bar and Tiki hut. Enjoy the pics and if anyone has any questions just shoot me an email.
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Thanks for that great tip. It's good to know how to ensure the safety of my Tiki bar - once I have one.

I've been thinking about a Tiki bar for quite a while, but haven't been sure what to do. Based on my research, I see there's lots of different kinds of Tiki bars and Tiki "huts" out there to choose from. Some of them look very flimsy and cheap, others (like yours) look to be very sturdy and more like what I often see at resorts and in the Caribbean when my family and I are on vacation. Given that you're an expert, I have several questions (if you don't mind).

1) I'm intrigued by the idea of building my own Tiki bar, using your e-book as my guide. But, I'm not a builder. I took woodshop in high school and know how to use tools. If I try to build my own Tiki bar, and I run into trouble, will you help me out?

2) How long does the roofing usually last on these Tiki bars? You mention treating it for fire-proofing, but what else can be done to prolong the life of the bar?

3) What do you charge to build a Tiki bar like the one in your e-book and on your web site? If I run into trouble building mine, would you be willing to help me out?

Hi Rick,
In my ebook i have a contact number where you can reach me personally and i will answer any question you have and also help you along the way. The roofing should last about 5-7 years depending where you are and the climates the tik bar is in. I have a netting that i use on all bars i construct and when installed, i believe it will add many years to the life of the roof. It's a fine black netting that's hard to see once put on. if you go to my site www.tikikev.com , you will find it in the do it yourself section of the store. The bar in the book is 5800.00 for me to build with all the options that are in there. Not sure where you live, but i could help if your local. I live in Pa. Otherwise just use the contact number in the book and i would be more than happy to help. Hope i answered all your questions,
Tiki Kev

_________________Tiki Bars and Tiki Huts www.tikikev.com
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But know that in Asia, bamboo has been used in place of steal and wooden beams in several-story buildings. Hard as a rock, but with enough give to withstand earthquakes.

Bamboo Ben would be an expert; poke around here for his posts. He builds aMAZing and durable bamboo structures of all kinds, indoor and out. I don't know that he would say that his outdoor ones will be standing for his grandchildren, but they'll be beautiful for as long as any of us would be enjoying them!

An option is also to add bamboo or rattan elements (corners, edges, etc.) to your wood of choice. But get SOMETHING Asian in there!!

Unless all you want is a Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet style, Central American palapa hut. Again, entertaining - but not tiki.
_________________"Zazz captivates felt."

Rick,
Well, bamboo will last a long time, the only problem with those types of tiki bars is that they are light weight and get blown over easily. Hence, damaging the bar. If you want to take it inside every night by all means buy one. Or if you are looking for an indoor tiki bar they will be great and last almost forever. In my opinion those types of bars are not very suitable for outdoor use. You'll want to build something out of wood and make it authentic looking with an actual wood framed thatched roof. The ones i build weight around 1200 pounds or more and usually never have a problem with it being outdoors all year around. I think you were going to purchase my how to build a tiki bar e-book. If you do i have a contact number in there you can call me at to answer any questions you may have.
Thanks,
Tiki Kev
_________________Tiki Bars and Tiki Huts www.tikikev.com
How to build you own Tiki Bar www.TikiKev.com/tikibar-how-to.html
Join my affiliate program at http://www.tikikev/affiliates.html

Exactly. Rick, forget that bamboo crap. The last thing you want is a hurricane to blow over your hut while you're sipping your hurricane. You might try using PVC pipe hand-painted to look like bamboo and then pour concrete inside the pipe for weight. Lash it together with tan colored duct tape for that authentic look. That sucker won't budge an inch!

Wow! Thanks for all the great replies guys. Especially the PVC pipe filled with cement - very funny!! Sounds like someone already has some hurricane experience...

I know we sure do, being down here in Ft. Lauderdale area. Incidentally, I was at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (for 25th anniversary yesterday) and ended up at a Steve Miller concert of all things...time keeps on slippin'...space cowboy, ... a lot of fun. Anyway, back to the story...

As we're walking back to our room, I look out the window and what do I see? Tiki huts! The way the Seminole Indians apparently made them - here in Florida! Believe me, they aren't made of bamboo down here!